Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 20-54 - Agricultural Resource Management
Chapter ATCP 51 - Livestock Facility Siting
Subchapter II - Livestock Facility Siting Standards
Section ATCP 51.12 - Livestock structures; location on property

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 51.12

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) PROPERTY LINE AND ROAD SETBACKS; GENERAL. Livestock structures shall comply with local ordinance requirements related to setbacks from property lines and public roads, except that no local setback requirement may do any of the following:

(a) Require a livestock structure to be set back more than 100 feet from any property line or public road right-of-way, except as provided in sub. (2), if the livestock facility will have fewer than 1,000 animal units.

(b) Require a livestock structure to be set back more than 200 feet from any property line, or more than 150 feet from any public road right-of-way, except as provided in sub. (2), if the livestock facility will have 1,000 animal units or more.

(c) Prevent the use of a livestock structure that was located within the setback area prior to the effective date of the setback requirement.

(d) Prevent the expansion of a livestock structure that was located within the setback area prior to the effective date of the setback requirement, other than an expansion toward the property line or public road to which the local setback applies.

Note: Many local jurisdictions have established basic property line and road setback requirements by ordinance. Setbacks vary depending on local circumstances, and often reflect years of local experience. Subsection (1) honors local setback requirements, provided that the setbacks do not exceed the limits specified in sub. (1).

(2) MANURE STORAGE STRUCTURE; SETBACK. A waste storage structure may not be located within 350 feet of any property line, or within 350 feet of the nearest point of any public road right-of-way, unless one of the following applies:

(a) The location of the waste storage structure complies with a local ordinance that specifies a shorter setback that is specific to waste storage facilities or waste storage structures.

(b) The waste storage structure existed prior to May 1, 2006. This paragraph does not authorize an expansion, toward a property line or public road right-of-way, of a waste storage structure that is located within 350 feet of that property line or public road right-of-way.

(c) The waste storage structure is a single new waste storage structure constructed no closer to the relevant property line or public road than a waste storage structure that existed on the same tax parcel prior to May 1, 2006, provided that the new structure is no larger than the existing structure and is located within 50 feet of the existing structure.

Note: See definition of "waste storage structure" in s. ATCP 51.01(44).

(3) NAVIGABLE WATERS AND WETLANDS. A livestock facility shall comply with an applicable shoreland or wetland zoning ordinance that is enacted within the scope of authority granted under s. 59.692, 61.351 or 62.231, Stats.

Note: Essentially all navigable waters are now protected by ordinances that require building setbacks of 75 feet or more (depending on the ordinance). Zoning restrictions, if any, typically apply to new or enlarged structures. A zoning ordinance applies for purposes of sub. (3) if it is enacted within the scope of statutory authority under s. 59.692, 61.351 or 62.231, Stats., even if it is also enacted under other authority.

(4) FLOODPLAIN. A livestock facility shall comply with an applicable floodplain zoning ordinance that is enacted within the scope of statutory authority under s. 87.30, Stats.

Note: County or local zoning ordinances currently apply to many, but not all, waterways (not all waterways have mapped floodplains). Zoning restrictions, if any, typically apply to new or enlarged structures. A zoning ordinance applies for purposes of sub. (4) if it is enacted within the scope of statutory authority under s. 87.30, Stats., even if it is also enacted under other authority.

(5) WELLS.

(a) Wells in a livestock facility shall comply with chs. NR 811 and 812.

(b) Except as provided in par. (c), new or substantially altered livestock structures shall be separated from existing wells by the distances required in chs. NR 811 and 812, regardless of whether the livestock facility operator owns the land on which the wells are located.

(c) Paragraph (b) does not prohibit the alteration of a livestock structure that existed on May 1, 2006, unless that alteration reduces the distance between the livestock structure and an existing well.

Note: DNR rules under chs. NR 811 and 812 spell out well construction and well location standards to protect water supplies. Violation of well setback requirements in ch. NR 811 or 812 may prevent use of a well. DNR may grant appropriate variances, as provided in chs. NR 811 and 812.

(6) PRESUMPTION. For purposes of local approval, a livestock facility is presumed to comply with this section if the application for local approval complies with s. ATCP 51.30.

Under s. ATCP 51.30, an application must be complete, credible and internally consistent. The application must include an area map, a site map, and a certification that the livestock facility complies with this section (see Appendix A). A local approval is conditioned upon compliance in fact (see s. ATCP 51.34(4)). The presumption in sub. (6) may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence in the record (see s. ATCP 51.34 and 51.36).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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